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Repetition Makes False Beliefs Permanent

Mon, 10 Sep 2007 03:24:18 GMT

clipped by: Kore7
clipper's remarks: Politicians and other unscrupulous types have long exploited what psychological studies are now confirming: due to the neurophysiology of the learning process, simple repetitive association between two concepts is enough to make false propositions "feel" true and well-supported.

Worse, after enough exposure to such associations, subsequent denials can strengthen the perception of the falsehood instead of weakening it. (This is a major reason why the stigma of a false accusation can persist even after innocence is proven.)

Indeed, repetition seems to be a key culprit. Things that are repeated often become more accessible in memory, and one of the brain's subconscious rules of thumb is that easily recalled things are true.

Clip Source: www.washingtonpost.com

Persistence of Myths Could Alter Public Policy Approach

Contrary to the conventional notion that people absorb information in a deliberate manner, the studies show that the brain uses subconscious "rules of thumb" that can bias it into thinking that false information is true. Clever manipulators can take advantage of this tendency.

Clip Source: www.washingtonpost.com

The experiments do not show that denials are completely useless; if that were true, everyone would believe the myths. But the mind's bias does affect many people, especially those who want to believe the myth for their own reasons, or those who are only peripherally interested and are less likely to invest the time and effort needed to firmly grasp the facts.

The research also highlights the disturbing reality that once an idea has been implanted in people's minds, it can be difficult to dislodge. Denials inherently require repeating the bad information, which may be one reason they can paradoxically reinforce it.

Tags: politics, psychology, bias, manipulation, urban legends, beliefs, brain, cognitive science, myths, learning

The Beauty of the Brain: Brain Painting with EEG

Sun, 09 Sep 2007 21:38:48 GMT

clipped by: Djiezes
clipper's remarks: Click the pictures or go to the gallery: http://brainpaint.com/gallery1/index.html

Clip Source: neurofeedback.blogharbor.com

The Beauty of the Brain: Brain Painting with EEG

these aren't just inspired works of art, they are actually images derived from EEG activity.

They come from a site about a new neurofeedback system developed by Bill Scott, who has been a leader in the field for many years.

I can't get into all of his pages, but he seems to have developed a system that can take the EEG waves produced by an individual's brain and to create a visual image of the activity.

Clip Source: brainpaint.com

Tags: eeg, brain, paint, art, brain paint, bill scott, images, gallery, neuro

Fucking Genius!!!

Mon, 10 Sep 2007 11:46:59 GMT

clipped by: Hunnybun
clipper's remarks: I can't think of a better way to screw those dumb-asses up....GO CLOWNS!!!!!!!!!!!

Clip Source: www.porkbanana.com

The people of Knoxville demonstrated one hell of a great way to disrupt and basically neuter a KKK rally. The 100th ARA (Anti Racist Action) clown block came out to cheer them on in their own special way. Here is an excerpt from the days action.

KKK Rally Mocked by a Mighty Clown Army

“White Power!” the Nazi’s shouted, “White Flour?” the clowns yelled back running in circles throwing flour in the air and raising separate letters which spelt “White Flour”.

“White Power!” the Nazi’s angrily shouted once more, “White flowers?” the clowns cheers and threw white flowers in the air and danced about merrily.

“White Power!” the Nazi’s tried once again in a doomed and somewhat funny attempt to clarify their message, “ohhhhhh!” the clowns yelled “Tight Shower!” and held a solar shower in the air and all tried to crowd under to get clean as per the Klan’s directions.

Tags: funny

Three amazing photos

Sat, 08 Sep 2007 23:32:10 GMT

clipped by: amgumen

Clip Source: bestpicever.com

" Finding cover from the rain "

Clip Source: bestpicever.com

" Bird drying off "

Clip Source: bestpicever.com

" Butterfly with transparent wings "

Tags: art, photography

Reference Guide for HERBS

Sun, 09 Sep 2007 09:50:27 GMT

clipped by: skwirlinator
clipper's remarks: Someone asked for this...
Ho Shou Wu Root
Hyssop Leaf
Jujube Date
Juniper Berry
Kola Nut
Korean Ginseng Root
Lady Slipper Root
Licorice Root
Lycium Berry
Motherwort Leaf
Muira Puama Root
Mullein Leaf
Oregon Grape Root
Panax Ginseng
Parsley Root
Passion Flowers
Pau D'Arco Bark
Paullina Seed
Prickly Ash Bark
Red Beet Root

Red Clover Tops
Red Peony Root
Red Sage Root
Rosemary
Rose Hips Berry
Saw Palmetto Berry
Schizandra Berry
Sok-Day Root
St. John's Wort
Stinging Nettle Leaf
Turmeric Rhizomes
Uva Ursi Root
Valerian Root
White Willow Bark
Wild Yam Root
Wood Betony Leaf
Wu Chi Root
Yarrow Leaf
Yellow Dock Root
Yerba Mate Leaf

Those are also linked

Clip Source: www.realtime.net

Reference Guide for HERBS

Clip Source: anrvitamins.com

Overview
Albizzia Bark
American Ginseng Root
Angelica Root
Ashwagandha Root
Astragalus Root
Atractylodes Rhizomes
Bay Chi Root
Bilberry Fruit
Biota Seeds
Birch Leaf
Bissy Nut (KolaNut)
Black Cohosh Root
Black Radish Root
Blessed Thistle Leaf
Boswellia Serrata Gum
Brazilian Suma Root
Buchu Leaf
Bupleurum Root
Burdock Root

Butcher's Broom Root
Cacao Seed
Calamus Root
Capsicum Fruit
Cat's Claw Bark
Catuaba Bark
Celery Seed
Centaury Leaf
Chamomile Flower
Chasteberry Fruit
Chickweed Leaf
Chinese Club Moss
Chinese Ginseng Root
Cleavers Leaf
Cornsilk Stigmas
Corydalis Tuber
Cynarin (Artichoke Conc.)
Damiana Leaf
Dandelion Root
Devil's Claw Root

Don Sen Root
Dong Quai Root
Echinacea Root
Elderberry Root
Eleuthero Root
Eyebright Leaf
Fo-Ti Root
Garlic Bulb
Ginger Root
Ginkgo Biloba Leaf
Ginseng (panax ginseng)
Golden Seal Root
Gotu Kola Root
Green Tea Leaf
Guarana
Gui Zhi Bark
Hawthorne Berry
Horny Goat Weed
Horse Chestnut Seed
Horsetail Stems

Tags: reference guide for herbs, herbs, guide, about, knowledge

Doubting God But Still Doing Good

Mon, 10 Sep 2007 11:04:19 GMT

clipped by: debbyski

Clip Source: www.latimes.com

In a time when the notion of goodness has been thoroughly watered down, as politeness is mistaken for kindness, certainty passes for faith, ethics for spirituality and middle-class mores for saintliness, it's good to be reminded that those whom many consider saints are complex human beings who more often than not defy convention.

A decade ago, I met a 74-year-old nun in Romania who taught me the difference between manners and social goodness -- and the real thing. Sister Mary Rose Christy was the closest thing to a saint I have ever met. But it's not because she was particularly kind to me. Nor did she play the role of the docile holy woman content to radiate light from the corner of the room.

Brusque, opinionated, hard-headed and not the best listener I've ever met, Sister Mary Rose had an agenda, and I think she viewed mere mortals like myself who crossed her path as either people who could help or hinder her mission.

Tags: goodness, has, been, thoroughly, watered, down

The American Religious Crisis

Mon, 10 Sep 2007 11:19:21 GMT

clipped by: ouyangwulong
clipper's remarks: It startles me how quickly these stories are coming. With news like this, it is impossible to not further explore the conflict between modern society and fundamentalist faith.

I believe that the inevitable progress of society, and the fundamentalist rejection of modernism and defiance of that progress can only end in some major sort of spiritual collapse. The fact that, in these times, so many feel so violently uncomfortable with progress and the future strikes me as the defining conflict of our times.

What is bring about such a large scale rejection of modernity? Why is progress so often equated with sin? The pat answers that we always offer somehow ring hollow. They haven't been able to reconcile this conflict, and neither sides seems to address the humanity of the other. If we continue down this divisive path, there is no future for spirituality in America.

Clip Source: www.iht.com

ST. GEORGE, Utah : When his parents discovered his secret stash of DVDs, including the "Die Hard" series and comedies, they burned them and gave him an ultimatum: Stop watching movies or leave the family and church for good.

With television and the Internet also banned as wicked, along with short-sleeve shirts - a sign of immodesty - and staring at girls, let alone dating them, Woodrow made the wrenching decision to go.

Ten months ago, with only a seventh-grade education and a suitcase of clothes, he was thrown into an unfamiliar world he had been taught to fear.

Tags: fundamentalism, modernism, conflict, conservative, apocolypse, polygamy, isolationism

Amazing picture of the stray dog with an artificial leg

Sun, 09 Sep 2007 08:54:32 GMT

clipped by: michellezm
clipper's remarks: Oh, this poor sad little sausage. I wish I could take him home

Clip Source: www.dailymail.co.uk

Badly injured stray dog Benben is being put back on his feet by doctors at A-Beil Pet Clinic in Nanjing, China, who have built him an artificial leg.

Benben is now undergoing training sessions to get use to walking with his new limb.

Tags: dogs, animals, medical, current affairs